Romans 8

This amazing chapter was included in today's Bible reading on my M'Cheyne One Year Reading Plan.  There is so much in this chapter; it is more than enough for multiple days of meditating, praying and reading.  In fact, it is one of several chapters from Romans that forms the basis for one of my favorite books, "The Normal Christian Life," by Watchman Nee.  If you want to be overwhelmed by the richness of Paul's letter to the Romans, I suggest you read this book.  It's not an easy read by any means; and, if you are the type of reader who highlights or underlines while reading, you'll need a dozen sharpened pencils and/or a box of highlighters in various colors.  It's that profound!  I have a copy here in El Salvador and might just have to find the time to re-read it.

As you may know from previous posts this year, along with the M'Cheyne plan, I am reading the accompanying devotionals from "For the Love of God," by D. A. Carson. 

 That today's devotional was about Romans 8 came as no surprise, but the depth of his insights never fails to move my spirit.  Here's a synopsis:

What does it mean for Christians to be "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37)?  First, the "us" to whom the apostle refers includes all Christians. . . . Second, the actual evidence that they are "more than conquerors" is that they persevere regardless of all opposition.  That opposition may take the form of horrible persecution, . . . It may be some other hardship . . . . Neither human powers nor anything else in all creation, not even all the powers of hell unleashed can "separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:39).  Third, as the last sentence already makes clear, that from which Christians cannot be finally separated is the "love of Christ" (8:35) or the love of God in Christ .  At one level, of course, that is simply saying that no power can stop Christians from being Christians.  That is why we are "more than conquerors."  But  that point could have been made a lot of different ways.  To make it this way, with an emphasis on the love of Christ as that from which we cannot be separated, reminds us of the sheer glory and pleasure that is ours, both now and in eternity, to be in such a relationship.  We are not simply acquitted; we are loved.  We are loved not simply by a peer, but by God himself.  Nor is this a reference to the general love that God has for his entire creation.  What is at stake here is that special love that attaches to "all who have been called according to his purpose" (8:28).  Fourth, the guarantee that we shall prevail and persevere, and prove to be "more than conquerors" in this sense, is nothing other than the sovereign purposes of God (8:29-30), manifest in the death of his Son on our behalf (8:31-35).  "If God is for us, who can be against us?" No greater security is imaginable.

He's so right . . . . we have perfect security in our Heavenly Father . . . . thank you, Lord, for loving me more than I deserve.  Help me lay everything down at your feet and live each day to glorify you and build your kingdom.